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Preemies are more prone to certain medical conditions than full-termers, so doctor visits are essential. The experts will monitor factors (a biggie: your premature baby’s weight) to check that your premature baby’s development is on track. Here are some ways you can help ensure that your baby thrives.

Keep in regular contact with your baby’s pediatrician. Your child’s pediatrician will be seeing your baby for years to come, so it’s important to involve him or her from the start, even if you’re taking your baby to other specialists. Make an appointment for a checkup soon after her release from the hospital (most doctors will want to see a preemie within a day or two of homecoming). That way, your practitioner can get baseline readings on your premature baby’s weight and general health in order to keep close tabs on her. Note: Make sure you have a discharge summary from the neonatal intensive-care unit (NICU), along with a record of the immunizations your baby had in the hospital.

Go to developmental checkups. Preemies develop at a different rate than other babies, and just because your child has passed her due date doesn’t mean she’s all caught up. Sometimes that’s not the case until she hits two or older, so it’s important to schedule regular developmental checkups (most likely at the hospital where she was born). At these visits, pediatric specialists, including physical and occupational therapists, will look at your baby’s reflexes, reactions, and developmental milestones (Is she rolling over? Sitting? Holding a toy?). If any problems do surface, early intervention can help immensely.

Schedule eye exams. Preemies are especially prone to a condition called retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), in which an abnormal growth of blood vessels can lead to vision loss. Your baby will get a special eye exam before she leaves the hospital. After that, her eyes may need to be checked every few months or so. The good news is that most cases of ROP can be easily detected and the majority goes away on its own without treatment.

Get the lowdown on what’s normal. Premature baby development generally lags behind that of full-term babies because a preemie’s nervous system isn’t fully formed at birth. Don’t be surprised if your baby continues to show signs of prematurity for months and maybe even years. Preemies often take a little extra time to develop both gross- and fine-motor skills and to hit milestones such as rolling over, sitting up, and taking that first step. Later on, preemies are more likely than full-termers to have learning disabilities, so being aware of what’s normal and what’s not is vital to get her the help she needs as soon as possible.

Try not to obsess about every little thing. When you’re parenting a preemie, it’s easy to attribute every small bump in the road to her premature baby development. But sometimes a cold is just a cold. And maybe she’s colicky because she’s got colic, not because she was born early. It’s easier said than done, of course, but try not to make your baby’s prematurity the only thing you think about. You want to enjoy and appreciate her for the amazing individual she is — and not as you would a delicate piece of china.

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